Welcome & Announcements
Hymn of Praise – Good Christian Friends, Rejoice ( UMH #224))
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say: News, news!
Jesus Christ is born today!
Ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today, Christ is born today!
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss: News, news!
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven’s door,
and ye are blest for evermore.
Christ was born for this,
Christ was born for this!
Good Christian friends,
rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave: News, news!
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save,
Christ was born to save!
Call to Worship:
Pastor: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
People: Those who lived in a land of deep darkness – On them light has shined.
Pastor: The light shines in the darkness.
People: And the darkness did not overcome it.
Pastor: For Christ is born in Bethlehem.
People: Come, let us adore him.
Affirmation of Faith – The Apostles’ Creed (UMH 881)
Message in Music - "Mary Did You Know?" - Valerie Sharper
Prayer of Intercession
Prayer of Confession
We come to you this day, gracious Lord, exhausted from all the activities of the season. It seems that we spend so much energy, time, and resources in preparation, and then when it is over, we collapse. We wonder what happened to all the enthusiasm we had. Lord, forgive us for placing our energies in getting and gathering. Give us peace and strength to renew our commitment to you. Remind us again to look around at the many ways in which we can be of service to you by serving others. Help us move forward in our compassion and not collapse in our witness. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Experiencing and Extending the Peace of Christ (Note: we will extend the Peace of Christ without physical contact.)
Offering
Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn – Angels from the Realms of Glory verses 1,2,4 (UMH #220)
Angels from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o’er all the earth;
ye who sang creations story
now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
Refrain:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Shepherds in the field abiding,
watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
yonder shines the infant light:
Refrain:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Sages, leave your contemplations,
brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great Desire of nations;
ye have seen his natal star:
Refrain:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Saints before the altar bending,
watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
in his temple shall appear:
Refrain:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Sermon – The Work of Christmas - Pastor Ruth
Hymn – Go, Tell It on the Mountain (UMH #251)
Go, tell it on the mountain
over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shown a holy light
Go, tell it on the mountain
over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth
Go, tell it on the mountain
over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn
Go, tell it on the mountain
over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born
Unison Benediction:
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone.
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
It is then that the work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers
To make music in the heart…
And to tell the Good news that Christ is born for everyone!!!
Postlude/Dismissal
Ruth Portzline, CLM
Accompanist: Brian Barber
Special Music: Valerie Sharper